DJ Nimrod
JUGGLING: DJ Nimrod is a motormouth and this has earned him his share of ‘haters’ and trolls on social media, but the guy does put passion in what he gets his hands on. Having started out as a deejay and later taking on radio, Denis Bbosa caught up with the DJ to understand how a psychology graduate ended up here.
Hate or love it, modern DJs wear many hats, and that is the maxim driving renowned city DJ Nimrod Nabeta, aka, DJ Nimrod, to prominence.
At the risk of being branded a jack of all trades and a master of none, Nimrod has etched a name as a promising radio and events emcee, DJ, marketer and love doctor, yet the allure of nocturnal life conspired to halt his Bachelors of Psychology studies at Makerere University many years ago.
13 years of high and lows
Midway the interview, Nimrod leans back on a leather couch to count the few clubs in Kampala that he has not played at yet, and all he can get is one – Club Guvnor. His love for spinning the discs grew after his O-Level at Kitante SS and he looks back at the stern punishments he got from his concerned mum.
“In Senior Five at St Stephen Bweyogerere, I was the entertainment prefect, which gave me a platform to start dance crews, where I got to associate with DJs,” the 30-year-old reminisces. He says he started teaching himself the skill, gradually before he received final polishing from spin master Frank Kibuule, aka, DJ Frankie.
After secondary school, Kibuule took in Nimrod as one of his errand boys at Image Sounds Disco, assigned mainly to lift the loudspeakers and help ‘keep the audience busy’ before he took over as the main DJ.
“From school, I knew how the mixer and amplifier worked, and the more I liaised with Kibuule, the more I gained exposure about other attributes such as using the pitch bend,” he adds.
Soon they were the big act at the then Victoria Tavern Bar on Kampala Road in 2007, and Nimrod would ‘gladly’ walk home with a meagre pay of Shs5,000 for the night. To supplement his income, he thought of learning the microphone trade and that is how he joined the now defunct Club La Beaujolais, teaming up with the experienced DJ Apeman from whom he tapped more turntable antics.
It is at La Beaujolais that Nimrod would meet late rally ace cum businessman Charles Muhangi (RIP), who took him to his Kabalagala-based Las Vegas Bar as the main DJ.
The big stage beckoned when Nimrod joined Theatre Factory as their chief DJ and his exploits caught the eye of entrepreneur Innocent Nahabwe, who first recruited him for the defunct Virgin Island and later Club Amnesia and Galaxy FM as a presenter.
Six years on radio, and 13 years as a DJ, Nimrod looks back with lament as he continues to cement his name among the best in the business.
Idolising DJ Shiru
Without mincing words, Nimrod lets out his deep affection for the award-winning spin master Shiru Kiberu, aka DJ Shiru and occasionally wears his emblazoned T-shirts.
Nimrod has scooped various local gigs and has worked for visiting international artistes such as Sisqo, Tarrus Riley, Morgan Heritage and P Square, but he will not stop praising DJ Shiru.
“He has achieved a lot and he is extraordinary. The other DJs may be good in a particular field such as video mixing, oldies, high school or TV, but he sums it all.”
Stomach upset on duty
Many challenges stand in a DJ’s way; from going without pay, travelling in the wee hours, getting irritating song requests to failing to lighten up the audience.
However, DJ Nimrod’s most unforgettable day was when he nearly did a number two in his pants after a diarrhoea attack. The night was disastrous.
Among other awards, Nimrod has scooped the Best Kadanke DJ (2015), Best High School DJ (2017) and Mubs’ conducted Best DJ gongs.
Unsettled love life
Nimrod’s on and off love triangle involving socialite Natty K and Joel Isabirye was fodder for tabloids recently, but Nimrod maintains he has settled down with someone.
He has also been pictured in compromising situations with several partygoers as he goes about his job, which obviously raises a few eyebrows.
“Psychology helped me learn human behaviour; working at night has taught me the sexual behaviour of women, especially when they are tipsy.
“I have seen it all, to say the least. I have been through several relationships but I know how to handle one,” he explains.
Nimrod still habours faint hopes of returning to Makerere to complete his degree, but the fame, hefty deals and expanding family will not let him do it just now.
